DAVID Sullivan today declared Blues fans would probably only appreciate the current board after they had long since departed.

Sullivan has always had a volatile relationship with the Blues faithful as he is not afraid to call it how he sees it and take them to task.

He said two years ago that the directors’ ‘honeymoon period’ had been over for a long time.

Now fans have got what they have been calling for, new owners in the shape of Carson Yeung and his consortium.

“We have put so much hard work into it, myself and Karren Brady in particular, but I don’t think the public and fans realise just how much,” Sullivan told the Birmingham Mail.

“I’ve flogged myself to death for the club and maybe people will look back in five years’ time and appreciate what we have done.

“We’re moving on at a time when – although the result wasn’t good against Villa – I believe we are just two players short of having a really good side.

“If we bring in a tall midfielder and a tall centre-forward then I think things will be all right. But that’s for the Chinese now. Over the years, I think that we [our managers] have not spent money as wisely as we should have spent it. Had we, then we probably would have done a bit better. You never know.”

The board have identified the Bolton Wanderers game on September 26 as their St Andrew’s farewell.

Prices have been reduced to £15, £10 and £5.

Sullivan said: “We wanted to make a gesture as a ‘thank-you’ to everyone, so we have cut ticket prices and it would be nice if we got a full house.

“It’s going to be an emotional day for us and I sincerely hope that should we come back with another club we would get a decent reception for having given our all for Birmingham City.”